Thales Group

Thales's rich history goes back well over a century. Built slowly and with careful planning, the Group boasts remarkable cohesion and strength, and has often proven its ability to adapt its structures to prevailing conditions. Here are some of the highlights from the story so far.

1968

The professional electronics businesses of Thomson-Brandt (previously CFTH) merge with Compagnie Générale de Télégraphie Sans Fil (CSF) to form Thomson-CSF. Compagnie Française Thomson-Houston (CFTH) was formed in 1893 to operate the patents of the US Thomson-Houston Electric Corp. In the emerging market for power generation and transmission. CSF was founded in 1918 and became a pioneer in broadcasting. With its subsidiary Société Française Radioélectrique (SFR), acquired in 1957, CSF was a key player in the 1930s development of broadcasting, short wave, electro-acoustics and early radar and television systems.

1970 – 1980

The company receives its first major export contracts in the Middle East, after the 1973 and 1979 oil crises. It diversifies into telephone switchgear, silicon semiconductors and medical imaging (CGR).